There is a lot out there about all the causes of back pain. But the lists conflict and some we’ve found are 14 and even 25 reasons long! While back pain can be complicated and there can be many causes, the most common reasons are, well, the most common. So, let’s get to those.

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3 Top Causes of Low Back Pain

Herniated Disc

Herniated discs frequently happen with bending forward and twisting. Pain increases with bending forward or prolonged sitting. The injured disc, and resulting inflammation, may create irritation to the nerve roots and sometimes produces pain, tingling or numbness down the back of the thigh and leg.

Spinal Stenosis

(Also referred to as arthritis or degenerative disc disease)

Stenosis means narrowing. It can cause compression on the nerve roots and may also produce pain, tingling or numbness down the back of the thigh and leg. This is generally aggravated by walking for a while, working overhead or standing for a while, like waiting in line or cooking a meal.

SI Joint or Pelvic Problem

This is the tricky one. It doesn’t usually show on MRI or X-ray. Pain can be very focal around the low back or tailbone, or it can travel down the thigh & leg. Sitting and changing positions may exacerbate the pain, but does not always follow this pattern. Sometimes lying down on the wrong side or flat on your back can even aggravate it. This one is harder to figure out and solve, but there is a solution.